I too am having this issue. I run Windows 7 latest version, I can load any file in the playlist with no issues. But after going to the latest version of VLC Player, the playlist causes the player to freeze and I have to use the Task Manager to close down the player. Otherwise it will sit there forever and not do anything.
As others have mentioned, it only happens when using the mkv files. Everything else seems to work fine with no problems. I really hope this issue can be corrected, as 90% of my files are mkv
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)